RETH

Elia slumped against his chest, clinging as if she didn't want to see what was happening around her. He held her, watching to make sure Lucan was really gone, and no further threat. He grieved the loss of an Anima, always. But Lucan had attacked them—gone for Elia—with no intention of mercy. Reth had no regrets. He just prayed she'd come to understand that it was kill or be killed. Right now all she saw was a bleeding body at her mate's hands—or teeth, as it were. He knew she struggled with the ruthlessness of the Anima in these situations. He celebrated her soft heart and the way it rose with passion for him. But he would not regret removing a very real threat from her.

Howls had risen outside, answering the call of the wolves they'd heard in the building. Reth looked at Brant, who sighed and shook his head.

"They will be here soon,

" Reth muttered.

Brant nodded.

"Dawn rises. We all need rest. We'll return tomorrow to finish this,

" he said with the ring of authority.

"And then you'll gather the tribes tomorrow night,

" Reth growled, staring at Lucan's body crumpled and bleeding on the floor.

"For what?

" Lerrin snarled, his eyes red and shining.

"For Censure. We rest, we eat. We finish this. Then the people answer—the tribes will answer—for this mutiny. This disaster with the wolves will stop before more are killed or harmed by it.

"

"What?!

" Lerrin was on his feet, stepping over his father's body and coming at Reth—who growled instinctively. The man stopped, but did not back down.

"I told you, Lerrin. I told you to put this down among your people. I told you that the next time it would be a disciplinary matter with the Lupine, and you agreed—

"

"You just killed the disciplinary matter!

" Lerrin snarled.

"What else must be done?

"

Reth put Elia behind him as he faced the man and pointed a finger at his chest.

"We will root out the poisoned blood in these people—any that would martyr that man, and we will remove them. We will not have people in the Tree City who would attack their own Queen!

"

"Reth, please—

" Elia said, taking his arm. He hadn't even realized he'd turned from her, but there he was, facing Lerrin, Elia behind him, tugging at his elbow.

"The damage to the tribe has been done!

" Lerrin cried.

"You have taken our Alpha—do you have any idea the ripple effect—

"

"THEN HE SHOULD NOT HAVE ATTACKED MY MATE!

"

"Reth,

" Brant said quietly, and Reth's mouth snapped shut. Even Lerrin stopped leaning in. They all took a breath, as the old man got to his feet and walked to stand next to them.

"It is dawn. The time for judgment has ended. We will rest. We will eat. Then we will return to hold Elia to the tribe, and question you, Reth.

"

Reth snapped his head around, his teeth clenched.

"You just saw him attack my mate! Do you really think—

"

"It doesn't matter what I think. It matters that the petition was brought, and deemed valid, we will hear it, regardless of its source. Or would you ask us to break the tradition?

"

"Of course not, but—

"

"Then, tonight, you will rest. Tomorrow you be reunited with your mate after your testimonies—

"

"What?!

" Elia cried, as a stuttering growl rocked the room from deep in Reth's chest.

He turned to face Brant, and hold his eyes. The older man's face hardened.

"Do not allow your emotion to make you stupid right now, Reth,

" Brant warned him softly.

"Think.

"

Reth continued to stare, and when he spoke, it was through clenched teeth.

"That wolf has made, or sanctioned, three attempts on my mate's life. He deserved death.

"

"And he has received it. The accusation of treason is held to the Pride and it will be answered before she is freed.

"

"You would imprison my wife, your Queen, over the accusation of a wolf who had already attempted to kill her?

"

"Imprisoned?

" Elia cried.

"Yes,

" Brant responded to Reth.

"Because one sin does not erase another.

"

Reth snorted and Brant's eyes narrowed.

Reth leaned in until they were nose to nose.

"She gave her throat to me tonight and you would hold us apart? We are Pair.

"

"And I thank the Creator for it, and pray you will live long and happy lives together. But this is bigger than your boiling blood, Reth. One night apart will not destroy you.

"

Reth looked like he would argue, but Elia cleared her throat and pushed her shoulders back.

"Tell me what is involved in this… imprisonment?

" she asked faintly.

Brant turned to her and smiled.

"Your mate is being dramatic. You will be kept apart so you cannot plan your testimonies together. That is all.

"

"She can stay with me,

" Aymora said quietly.

Elia visibly relaxed. Reth stared at her, yearning, but she shook her head at him and turned back to Brant.

"It's fine.

"

"No,

" Reth snapped.

"No. You will not run my mate from her home. She will have the cave tonight—Aymora can stay with her. I'll go to Behryn's.

"

Elia looked at him, her brows pinched with sadness. He shook his head, then looked back at Brant.

"Very well,

" Brant said.

"The Queen and her second will be guarded at the cave. The King and his second will be guarded at Behryn's. The Pride elders will return here after lunch for testimony, and judgement will be called.

"

"And then the people will gather,

" Reth snarled.

"And they will listen to the wrath of their King.

"

Brant nodded.

"If you wish it.

"

"I wish it.

"

"Then let it be so.

"

Reth pulled Elia into his chest for a quick embrace. She buried her face in his neck, murmuring her love, then kissed him softly, and stepped out of his arms. Aymora stepped up behind her, put an arm around her shoulders and led her out of the building.

Reth waited until he was certain they would be out of sight before throwing a glower at Brant, then stalking out of the building, Behryn on his heels.

*****

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